Recovery and recycling of byproducts of activated aluminum

Abstract

Methods, systems, and compositions related to the recycling and/or recovery of activating materials from activated aluminum are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aqueous solution's composition may be controlled to maintain aluminum ions dissolved in solution during reaction of an activated aluminum. In another embodiment, aluminum hydroxide containing the activating materials may be dissolved into an aqueous solution to isolate the activating materials.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A composition, comprising:
 an activated aluminum including aluminum combined with gallium and/or indium; and   an aqueous solution in contact with the activated aluminum, wherein the aqueous solution includes a chelating agent dissolved in the aqueous solution.   
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the aqueous solution is an acidic aqueous solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method or composition of  claim 12 , wherein the chelating agent is at least one selected from the group of citrate and oxalate. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the chelating agent is at least bidentate. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the chelating agent is at least tridentate. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein a ratio of indium and gallium is at least 1:1. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein a wt % of the gallium and/or indium relative to the activated aluminum is greater than or equal to 0.1 wt %.